Pluralizing governance from the perspective of the water-energy-food nexus

pathways to sustainability in the macro metropolis of São Paulo

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47284/2359-2419.2021.31.7193

Keywords:

water-energy-food nexus, governance of the nexus, Sustainability governance, Macro metropolis of São Paulo

Abstract

Based on the concept of "nexus,” the governance of water, energy, and food in the context of the Macro metropolis of São Paulo can be recognized as interdependent and very challenging in terms of trade-offs and synergies among resources. However, these resources have historically been governed separately, as there is a clear tendency for knowledge specialization in decisions. This article aims to critically discuss the “nexuses” between the governance of water, energy, and food in the context of the Macro metropolis of São Paulo. The methodology is divided into two moments. First, a narrative literature review, in which we present the concept of nexus governance and suggest rethinking it from a more plural perspective on governance given by the pathways to Sustainability approach. Second, a content analysis of the Project Portfolio of the Action Plan for the Macro metropolis of São Paulo 2013-2040 (PAM, in Portuguese) from five axes: political entities and spaces, structures and practice, power and knowledge, dealing with uncertainty, and political history, culture and context. The results indicate that PAM brings nexus-friendly perspectives marked by strategic and technical aspects, failing in considering more deeply human experiences of vulnerable actors in terms of access to resources in the context of a Macro metropolis.

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Author Biographies

Alberto Matenhauer Urbinatti, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo – SP – Brasil.

Sociologist and Ph.D. in Public Health. Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Science and Technology Policy, Institute of Geosciences, State University of Campinas. 

Leandro Luiz Giatti, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo – SP – Brasil.

Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo.

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Published

04/03/2022